Zikulise Judy Barbour Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
We have big dreams and we help others to achieve theirs.
At Zikulise we have big dreams and we help others to achieve theirs.
With the inception of The Judy Barbour Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award we are able to do just that. The award was made possible by Roger and Sue Barbour in 2018. Roger expressed his wish to honour the memory of his late mother, Judy Barbour, by giving an annual award in her name to a deserving entrepreneur who started his or her journey at Zikulise. The award will impact on the life of the recipient and indirectly to others as well.
And the winners are.......
When Nqobile’s prize, a brand-new sewing machine and a voucher for R5000 was presented to her, she was very emotional and overcome with joy. She couldn’t believe her prize!
Business cards were also donated. Nqobile attended a sewing, business management and food security course in 2025. “I'm thrilled to have received this wonderful recognition and award. I am truly humbled. I can’t believe that I was chosen.”
Nqobile shared how her business started.
My mother bought a small plastic sewing machine so that she could shorten the curtains. I took this as an opportunity to follow my dream of sewing for customers. I saved my Covid 19 grant money, R350.00 to buy fabric. I started downloading videos from Tik Tok and U-tube to teach myself how to sew. With some knowledge, I first started to sew for my children and family. I practiced and practiced. When I could sew phimifa, skirts, and bags, I was ready to sew for customers.
I started going door to door in my community. It wasn’t very safe though. My neighbour told me about Zikulise and I was so happy when I was accepted to attend the course as I never had any lessons before. I learnt how to make additional clothing, such as aprons, traditional skirt, bags and boy’s shirts. I also learnt new techniques that helped me, how to read a pattern and take measurements.
This recognition motivates me to continue creating beautiful garments and pushing the boundaries of my business. I would like to encourage the other candidates and everyone here today to follow your dream and don’t give up. I'm looking forward to sharing my work with the community and inspiring others to explore their creativity.
"My business is growing and it is all thanks to Zikulise and the funders. Zikulise I will make you proud!” said, Nqobile.
Since receiving her award, Nqobile has attended another sewing course and has been sewing creative, beautiful and unique designs for clothing, bags and aprons for her customers.
Way back in 2019, Sandile attended entrepreneurial skills training courses in hand and machine sewing, traditional beading, embroidery and business management. Her business has been operational ever since.
She sews crèche uniforms, traditional attire, track suits, dresses any other items that her customers order. She also offers embroidery services. Sandile grabs an opportunity when she sees one. “I realized the potential owning an embroidery machine would have for my business. I’ll be able to offer another service. I will be able to broaden my customer base."
“After receiving the award and an embroidery machine as my prize I have never looked back. My business has grown and grown. I have received so many orders, especially for creche uniforms. I have taught my husband and son how to sew and embroider so that they can assist me. My business is now a family business,” smiled Sandile.
Sandile enthused, “I registered a non -profit organization called, Inselelo Community Development Centre to assist orphans based in Melmoth. “Inselelo means challenge. I chose the name as I want to accept the challenge and succeed.” I have my community at heart. It is a very poor community in a deep rural area. I will never forget where I started from. I have had this dream of helping others for very long and now I am proud to say I am doing so.”
“I was in a dark, dark underground tunnel after I lost my job due to Covid-19. Then it dawned on me, hang-on, I have a skill! In 2008, I learnt how to make beautiful beaded traditional Zulu products, how to use a sewing machine to make fabulous items and how to paint beautiful patterns on fabric. I learnt how to run a successful business."
I have been so incredibly blessed since being in contact with Zikulise. Zikulise never gives up on their trainees. I have been so motivated and to my utter surprise I won the Zikulise Judy Barbour annual award in 2023. The award gave me the boost I so desperately needed for my business to grow. Since then, I have attended expos and been invited to present at functions and I have even won other awards. It is difficult for me to comprehend; people are recognising my skills!
"I could not believe what happened to me! Fives Group, Richards Bay donated a bakkie to me, to me, Sindisiwe Sithole!! I couldn’t stop my tears, now I can attend many exhibitions, expos and presentations to promote my craft. Thank you to Fives for all they did for me. I am humbled by their generosity."
"I gained knowledge that uplifted me. Zikulise has been so kind to me. I am a superwoman with six hands. I can achieve anything! Zikulise continues to help us grow and encourage us to find and follow our dreams and realise there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Mthobisi taught himself how to sew and started his business in 2019, Genius Tsotsi Wears Art.
It was only at Zikulise in 2021 that he received his first formal training. Mthobisi is multi-talented and besides sewing, he does fabric painting, tie-dying, upholstery and he has trained others to sew.
In the words of Mthobisi, “ I can express who I am through my business. It is a lot of hard work and commitment but it is who I am. I want to be in this dream. I want to improve and expand."
"Thank you Zikulise for being the impact in upgrading my sewing skills. I would like to say to anyone who has been only imagining doing something about their passion, don’t just imagine it, do it, do not give up. It's the beginning of something new, never stop believing and chasing your dream because nobody can do it better than you.”
Hloniphile participated in entrepreneurial skills training in hand and machine sewing, traditional bead weaving and business management in 2019. Hloniphile was selected as the winner of the award due to her perseverance, growth, development and despite the many challenges she faced, she did not give up.
On receiving her award, Hloniphile said, “I’m proud to say that I am standing here in front of you all, it is all thanks to Zikulise for granting me the opportunity to showcase my talent. It is through their teaching, guidance and patience that I received, I am now where I am on this journey. My mother always believed in me, encouraged me and told me to never to give up on my dream. Zikulise has helped to pursue my dream.”
Since receiving the award Hloniphile has been very busy sewing. She established her business, Intungwa boutique in the same year. “Sewing is my passion and I love what I do.“ Hloniphile said, “I sew whatever my customers ask for. My specially is church uniforms and aprons. Sometimes I’m up late at night to finish orders. I want to give my customers excellent service."
"I’m so grateful and honoured that Zikulise also provided the opportunity for me to train other beneficiaries who attend courses at Zikulise. It is so rewarding to give back to others that start their journey at Zikulise, just as I did.”
“I was a child of Zikulise, now I am a Zikulise woman!” These are the words of Fanelesibonga Manyoni, who attended a baking and business management course in 2019 where she got her wings and she went on to win the Zikulise Judy Barbour Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2020 and then she began to fly!
“My baking is going very well. I'm a famous lady now! I take orders all around Empangeni and Richards Bay. My advertising on Facebook and WhatsApp has made me famous!"
At the award ceremony Fives Group, Richards Bay was so impressed with Fanele that they assisted her with growing her business by building a fully-fitted bakery for her at her home as well – wait for it - donating a vehicle so she can deliver her orders.
Fanele has also volunteered to conduct baking workshops at Zikulise. “Zikulise is my home and I would like to teach others the skills I learnt at Zikulise so as to help others as I was helped; to show them you can achieve your dream. Now I'm ready for any challenge. The sky is the limit and I will hold onto this. I won't let go. One day I will build my kids legacy with it’, said Fanele.
Fanele’s business is doing very well, her cakes are not only delicious but beautifully iced. Her customers keep coming back for more.
“I am so thankful to Zikulise and to the donors who made my training possible; for helping me gain all these skills, hand and machine sewing, beading, embroidery, baking and business management. They opened my mind to possibilities. I was at home, not doing or achieving anything worthwhile."
"After receiving the training, I had hope of a more fulfilled life, I gained confidence and now I believe in myself. I have learnt so much and, in addition, I am able to contribute financially in supporting my family.”
After receiving the award, I have been running a successful sewing and beading business. My prize made such a difference to my business. My production went up and I can sew so many different items that my customers love. I also can provide the beadwork that goes with the outfit. I’m a one-stop shop! My dreams are coming true, said Angel.”
Angel has also assisted by volunteering to train sewing at Zikulise. She is paving the way for her to become a very successful young businesswoman.
The very first winner of the award was Mthokozisi Mtembu. Making people happy is the name of the game for Mthokozisi and that is just what he does for his customers.
Mthokozisi in isiZulu means to make people happy. Mthoko, as he is fondly known, attended a sewing and business management course at Zikulise in 2013.
Since winning the award Mthoko has been running his own business. He has been teaching others to sew. He kindly volunteered training the sewing courses for Zikulise. By doing so he has assisted many beneficiaries to follow their dreams.
Mthoko said, “My advice is, if you have passion, determination and always pursue your dream, you can make it happen.”
